Introduction Days
In your first days in Gothenburg, there will be lots to do and absorb. This page provides information about activities for newly arrived students that are held at the start of the semester. The University Welcome Programme, social activities arranged by student buddies and student associations. There is also quite a lot of administrative tasks you need to take care of as a new student.
Welcome Programme
The International Student Welcome Programme is held at the beginning of each semester. The programme of events and activities provides international students with practical information about the University and living in Gothenburg. It is also a perfect opportunity to meet other international students and Student Buddies from all over the world.
Programme:
- Welcome Speech by deputy vice-chancellor Pauli Kortteinen
- Student Portal and University e-services
- Servicecenter and the GU card
- Studies at the University of Gothenburg
- Student health care provider Feelgood introduces their services
- Student unions, what are they and why are they so important
- Mecenat followed by Welcome Services
- Unimeet Gothenburg
- Swedish language courses
- Unit for Academic Language (ASK)
- University Library
Saturday 20 August, and Monday 22 August, Welcome Services, together with numerous student buddies, organised a free pick-up service from Landvetter airport (GOT), the central station, and the ferry terminals.
If you plan to arrive on another day, it is still easy to find your way from the airport, bus and train station, as well as the ferry terminals via public transport or the airport coaches. Read more about this on our transportation site. If you need to book accommodation before the start of the semester you can find hostels and hotels on Goteborg.com's website.
Transportation and getting around
Hostels and hotels in Gothenburg
At the Welcome Fair for new international students, student organisations, university support functions and other activity groups are present.
Joining a student organisation is a great way to meet new friends, get to know the city and settle in to your new student life in Gothenburg.
Date: 25 August
Time: 11:30-14:30 CEST
Venue: Studenternas Hus (Götabergsgatan 17)
We will cover Swedish study culture and living in Sweden with a focus on intercultural competence. The first half of the event will help prepare you for studies in Sweden, how to avoid some common cultural shocks and how to get the most out of your studies. The second half will focus on life in Sweden, understanding the Swedes, and intercultural competence. We will invite current international students to form a panel to discuss their experiences. The panel will also take questions from you, the audience.
Recorded version
The Welcome Pack is a tote bag sporting the University of Gothenburg logo. They used to be black with the logo in white, but to make them even more environmentally friendly, we have switched to this beige one.
These bags are only given to international students, so if you see anyone with such a bag out in the city, you have probably just spotted another international student. Its contents includes a map of the city, a University of Gothenburg reflective slap wrap, a list of things to do while in Gothenburg, as well as various information about, for instance, public transport and recycling.
Pick up your Welcome Pack, autumn 2022
We will hand out Welcome Packs on the Arrival Days. Afterwards, from Tuesday 23 August, you can pick up your Welcome Pack at Servicecenter Haga, Sprängkullsgatan 19, during their regular opening hours.
